Mainspring Mindshares

So we've got a leftover Halloween pumpkin or two, do we? Why not just eat the old jack-o-lantern? It's "yesterday's news" anyway...right? Before you throw our treasure into the trash...or leave outside to rot away on the porch, why not consider this no-brainer from the Cookshop Alchemy receipt file? Here's all you need to do...

1. Sharpen a big long knife 2. Wrestle the ol' gourd and saw him in half 3. Repeat Step 2 with both halves 4. Repeat Step 3 with all 4 pieces 5. Repeat Step 4 with all 8 pieces 6. Repeat Step 5 with all 16 pieces (optional)

Score yourself some points - as a genuine Cookshop Alchemy apprentice - if you're able to cleave this ol' gourd up into nice pretty even shapes. We like nice and pretty, shapely young things... Now, with a plain soup spoon, scrape out those seeds, leaving the rest of the innards alone. Remove any blemishes or bruises or rottten places - trash 'em with the seeds and entrails...or remove them to the compost heap. Score yourself more points if you've decided to save the seeds, roast 'em and salt 'em for a fun-to-eat snack. You're a natural! Now, preheat the chamber oven to a medium temperature - about 350 degrees. And place the pumpkin pieces on to any ol' bake sheet. Sprinkle lightly with some natural salt, after first brushing with a bit of coconut oil or melted cow's butter. So...now, here comes the best part... Is this getting too complicated? Well, don't stop now, for goodness' sake! You're about to make some magic here, kiddies... But first, pick your poison...I mean...your secret ingredients. Choose whatever's handy from the cupboard and sprinkle your fairy dust - to taste - over your soon-to-be-cooked little babies. Here's what is written, as you wish: orange, or any citrus peel; ground pumpkin pie spice, or any combination of cardamon berries, cloves, anise seeds, allspice berries, ginger and/or nutmeg. Fairy dust. Add some butter: coconut, almond, cow's...in any combination...one or another...even all three You're the one making the magic, so consider that you're invincible. There's no rhyme or reason to contemplate here. Remember, this is a no-brainer! Now roast these little babies in the belly of the beast until just soft - about 35 or 40 minutes. The spell is just about cast. Magic is about to be unleashed... ...and such are the powers...of that mischievous sorcerer's apprentice...that devious spellbinder...you really are! Now, about 10 or 15 minutes before removal, start waving of your hand over these little objects of our desire...some brown sugar - light or dark...or a little blackstrap molasses...or cane syrup...or brown rice syrup, or honey...or whatever your hedonistic desire conjures up. Eat hot or cold - you'll know what to do! We like it either/or - hot, with a spoonful of pan juices, as a side dish, dearie, or - cold, with some whipped cream on top...in which case, a few finger cookies will do nicely! Just don't you - or your victims - eat the skins of our little darlin's, okay?